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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2292, 10 September 1870, Page 2

A Correction. —A singular error Occurred in our yesterday’s telegram, which might have caused, much misapprehension. It was stated that France proposed to Prussia, in 18t>6, to attack “Australia” with 300,000 meu. A few copies were struck off before this manifest error was discovered apd altered to “Austria,” which, we presume was the true reading. Statistical. —The customs revenue collected at the several ports of New Zealand during the quarter ended June 30, amounted to L 187.981. During the corresponding quarter of 1869, the amount collected was L213,G5. The total amount of customs revenue for the financial year elidin' June 30, Wi3'Lßoß,4st. The valticpf the mlfrorts at

the several ports of New Zealand affirihg the quarter ended June 30, was L1jt)48,321. During the value of thpidiports W88:Ut,273,62q,' ‘ Tito value of exports from' the several ports of New Zealand' (luring the quarter ended Jane JO, was Id, lf)4, 824. During!;he correspond- 1 ii l( f quarter of 18(59, -the value of exports amounted t6! LI ,688,487.

Hawke’s Bay,—We have received a prospectus of a company proposed to be formed at Napier for the establishra nt of an evening newspaper to be published at 2d, and to be called the Baity Tcleymph. It is proposed to raise LI 000 on L 5 shares, and the paper is to be independent in politics “both of individual statesmen, and of effete political sections” whatever those phrases may mean, and “ free from the dictation of pecuniary or other connexions with trade, party, clique, or section.” This marvel of a newspaper will be looked forward to with some curiosity, but we are afraid the capital estimated will hardly place it in the proud position to which it aspires. Rather Hard.—The following is from a Wellington contemporarary : —Mr Stafford, during the debate on the vote of L3OO for a botanical garden for Wellington, gave an amusing instance of the inconvenience of the provincial system. It appears that some little time ago a packet of rare seeds was received from t alifornia and was handed over for distribution by the Government to several gentlemen representing various provinces. Mr taking great interest in this matter, hadmpplied for a portion of the seeds. On going to the Nelson gentlemen, he was told that he was a Canterbury representative ; anil on applying to the Canterbury member, he was informed that he was a Nelson resident, and therefore not entitled to receive any. The cense- , quence was that, between the two, be did not get any seeds. 'Another instance of the truth of the old adage respecting tho two stools.

North Dunedin.—The popularity of tlie entertainments given under the auspices of the North Dunedin Mutual Improvement- Society was fully shown last evening, when, despite the counter-attrac-tion: in town, there was a crowded bouse. Mr Birch, President of the Society, occupied the chair. The programme comprised an average selection of solos and glees, all of which were rendered in a manner that appeared to give satisfaction. Miss Webb was successful in all her songs ; and a lady amateur, who sings very pleasantly, would have done much better had she placed a little more confidence in herself. There were also readings by Messrs Jago and Hume, which went well. Mr Hume’s selection had the drawback of being much 100 long. The Yo’unteer Band piayed at intervals during the evening, and Mr Sykes presided at the piano.

Political. —The Wellington correspondent of the Tuapeka T'ntu* writes; “ Who the people on the Goldfields intend shall represent them in the next Parliament is a question yet to be decided. Already there are rumours that two squatters, if not three, intend to solicit seats. The two gentlemen spoken of are Mr Main and Captain Baldwin. It the people arc satisfied with the present land laws, by all means return as many squatters as possible, for all the defects in respect to settlement are entirely due to the influence in the General Assembly of the pastoral tenants of the Crown. Mr Main intends to stand for Mount Ida, in order to give place for Mr Macandrew at Fort Chalmers, who thinks he is not sare at the Clutha, in consequence of his leanings towards the squatters. Captain Baldwin will perhaps try the Dunstau district.-”

A Female Broker. Among, the passengers who sailed for the Fijis by the Alhambra, writes the Geehng Adrcrtinfr, was Mrs Fitzgibbon, the well-known “lady speculator” of the “Verandah,” in Melbourne, and the “ Corner ” at Ballarat. Mrs Fitzgibbon holds an extensive property in the islands, and is ai m a large shareholder in the Polynesia Company, at a late meeting of whic'i she criticised very severely the conduct of some of the directors, and it is understood that one of her special objects now in returning to Fiji is to keep a watchful eye over the proceedings of Mr Butters and the other .representatives of the directors there. As a proof 6f the spirit and liberality of the lady, it may be mentioned that she has taken down with her an iron church (in pieces), to be erected there ; a clergyman to officiate in it ; and a dwelling house (in frame), with all household requisites, for herself. She entertains, from experience, a high idea of the future of Fiji.

Princess Theatre. —Last evening the Colored Opera Troupe gave ia'perform--ance at the Princess Theatre. So far as attendance was concerned, they must have been highly satisfied with the result, for the house was crowded in every part. We are not surprised at this, for the entertainment is far above the average of amateur performances, and would be considered very creditable even for professional musicians. This, however, can only be truly said iu relation to the choruses and instrumental accompaniments. These were given with taste, precision, and effect. They afford a remarkable instance of what may he done by amateurs when they confine their efforts to music within the compass of their powers. The simple harmonies of the Christy Minstrels’ class arc soon learnt, hut it is not so easy to induce amateurs to sing with taste. Nothing strikes a musician so much as the continual fear evinced by amateurs lest their efforts should n,pt be appreciated. The consequence is, that youth and maidens vie with each other in making a noise, and the finest choruses are murdered by being bawled put pa Ipudly ns tne singers would call out “ Fisb, fyo f ” in the street. But the Colored Opera Troupe hpve.lpprpt hpw to subordinate individual powers to collective effort, ami their piano and pianissimo passages were remarkable for their sweetness and true harmony. Precisely the same taste was shown iu the management of the instrumental portion. Chief attention is now required to the solos, which, as a rule, where not burlesque, were weak and displayed want of cultivation. We have no desire to penetrate the disguise assumed by the performers, for wc presume since they blacked their faces, they did not want to be recognised. Their antics were on the most approved style of kickcrabooism, and very fair attempts at reaching the standard of Heller’s Marionettes—we confess to not thinking them quite so well up to the mark —their fun and jokes, though lacking the nigger click, were very good of the sort, and their conjuring was really as funny, as far as it went, as Heller’s. The Black Brigade and Julieu’s Band were given with much

humor, and caused was intended to tytrifc Wr4vP® er * this Lcne'f&HOf |&B ptt|hVplent several of Rle 'QjmlMß of tlie troupe were unable to' attend, And in consequence it was found: necesaairy fc(/ postpone ic to aoipe future time. ; •

The Rev. Robert Scrirageouv will preach in St. Andrew’s Church, Melville Street, to-morrow at the usual hours.

We are requested to state that the Lord Ashley will not leave for the North before Tuesday next. Passengers will leave Dunedin by the 11 o’clock steamer.

We have been'requested to call attention to the unreserved sale of the general assorted stock of drapery goods to be held at the rooms of Messrs E. De Carle and Co., on Monday, at 1.30. 1

We are requested by Mr Langmuir, Superintendent of th« Glen Sunday School, to state that the school will meet at his house at the corner of the Forbury and South roads, to-morrow.